Recalibrated Rubicon - 2012 JKUR MW3 Edition Build

Jeep Lover

I Purchased my first Jeep in May of 2015, A tired 1999 Wrangler Sport that had spent its life in Maine.
It introduced me to the off-road world and the Jeep lifestyle.

A few years later it looks a little different

I work in the Collision Industry, more specifically I'm a Painter. However, I wear many hats just like most people.
Jeeps have become my passion. If I'm not working on a Jeep, I'm learning about something Jeep or Off-road industry related.

Fast forward to October 2018

We decided to add a 4 door Jeep to our life.

My wife, our Golden Retriever Sampson (Sammy) and I had been doing a lot with our TJ.

Rausch Creek September 2018

Somewhere on the Golden Road in Northern Maine

We were beginning to lack the room in the Jeep that we would like to have.
We set the criteria for we wanted.

2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon MW3 Editon.
65k Miles and very clean for a 2012 in Maine.
Mostly stock except for tires and the accessories that came with the special edition.
I honestly wasn't into the MW3 but it fit the criteria we wanted. I had already removed the emblems.
The parts I didn't like were going to be replaced anyways.

Recalibration

Our goal is to have versatile daily driven Jeep that fits our lifestyle.

First things first a full detail was in order. Clay bar to remove contaminates, multi-step paint correction, paint sealant, and black out the frame were a few highlights from that process.

Rugged Ridge Hood Latches installed. We had awful hood shutter coming home from buying the Jeep when going 70mph and these did the trick.

Installed the Spidertrax 1.5" Wheel spacers to prepare for the 315/70/17 Tires.
Install was very straight forward Spidertrax supplied a nice set of directions along with all necessary hardware and Red Loctite.
I have checked them twice so far with the torque wrench and report no loose lugs in 4k miles.

Front and Rear Motobilt Bumpers Installed

The Rear Stubby bumper was fairly straight forward unbolt the old one and install the new one. I did have a problem sliding the new Motobilt Rear bumper on. The drivers side frame bracket seemed to be welded in at a very slight angle and was only able to slide the bumper on about an inch until it started to bind. My friend and I were able to persuade the bumper all the way on with a BFH and once it was in place we were good to go.

The Motobilt Hatchet Front bumper required a few more hours to install than the rear, but SO worth it! It is a frame chop from bumper so the crossmember and frame ends had to go. While I was in there I rotated the Rubicon sway bar E-Disconnect up 90 degrees and out of the way. The vacuum pump relocation was on the list to do that day as well.

I think we can all agree it looks a little empty without a winch

Lifestyle and Adventure

First ride with the new Jeep! Kancamagus Highway, Lincoln, New Hampshire. Fall 2018

White Mountain Jeeps Annual New Years Ride. January 2019

If you made it this far, Thank you for Viewing!
All Comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated

I work in the Collision Industry, more specifically I'm a Painter. However, I wear many hats just like most people.
Jeeps have become my passion. If I'm not working on a Jeep, I'm learning about something Jeep or Off-road industry related.

2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon MW3 Editon.
65k Miles and very clean for a 2012 in Maine.
Mostly stock except for tires and the accessories that came with the special edition.
I honestly wasn't into the MW3 but it fit the criteria we wanted. I had already removed the emblems.
The parts I didn't like were going to be replaced anyways.

Recalibration

Our goal is to have versatile daily driven Jeep that fits our lifestyle.

Rugged Ridge Hood Latches installed. We had awful hood shutter coming home from buying the Jeep when going 70mph and these did the trick.

Installed The Spidertrax 1.5" Wheel spacers to prepare for the 315/70/17 Tires.
Install was very straight forward Spidertrax supplied a nice set of directions along with all necessary hardware and Red Loctite.
I have checked them twice so far with the torque wrench and report no loose lugs in 4k miles.

Front and Rear Motobilt Bumpers Installed

The Rear Stubby bumper was fairly straight forward unbolt the old one and install the new one. I did have a problem sliding the new Motobilt Rear bumper on. The drivers side frame bracket seemed to be welded in at a very slight angle and was only able to slide the bumper on about an inch until it started to bind. My friend and I were able to persuade the bumper all the way on with a BFH and once it was in place we were good to go.

The Motobilt Hatchet Front bumper required a few more hours to install than the rear, but SO worth it! It is a frame chop from bumper so the crossmember and frame ends had to go. While I was in there I rotated the Rubicon sway bar E-Disconnect up 90 degrees and out of the way. The vacuum pump relocation was on the list to do that day as well.

I think we can all agree it looks a little empty without a winch

Lifestyle and Adventure

First ride with the new Jeep! Kancamagus Highway, Lincoln, New Hampshire. Fall 2018

White Mountain Jeeps Annual New Years Ride. January 2019

If you made it this far, Thank you for Viewing!
All Comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated

Thank you for your support, I will absolutely send you a message when we nail down the dates that we will be there. I've been watching some videos of Windrock on youtube and if you live that close I will say I'm a little jealous.

Jeep Lover

We had a check engine light come on for a cylinder 6 misfire during our New Years Jeep ride back in January. My first thought was a faulty plug or coil but we decided to err on the side of caution. We brought it to our local Jeep dealership to perform a cylinder leak test. Prior to shopping for a JK I learned a bunch of 2012's had head issues and Jeep eventually put out a bulletin that covered replacing the head with a new design. These Jeeps were covered with an extended 150k/10 year warranty on the cylinder head. If the leakage is greater than 25% the head will need to be replaced. Our Rubicon came back with around 40% leakage and we scheduled to bring it in the end of next week for repairs.

I was almost dead set on the Aluminum Hardlines, but I made a last minute decision for the Overland front and Overline rear. I’m running a stubby rear bumper and I didn’t like how the Overlands weren’t dovetailed on the back. Also the Overline mounting panel on the rear makes it very strong.

Jeep Newb

When you get to doing the Big Brake Kit front and rear, if you are changing the front calipers to a dual piston highly recommend the J8 Master Cylinder and Brake booster. Improves the pedal feel and flow to the brakes immensely. https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...50-mopar-j8-master-cylinder-and-brake-booster It's a little bigger so if you plan on on board are you will have to put it somewhere else than above the master cylinder.

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Jeep Lover

When you get to doing the Big Brake Kit front and rear, if you are changing the front calipers to a dual piston highly recommend the J8 Master Cylinder and Brake booster. Improves the pedal feel and flow to the brakes immensely. https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...50-mopar-j8-master-cylinder-and-brake-booster It's a little bigger so if you plan on on board are you will have to put it somewhere else than above the master cylinder.

Hey Juniormb, I recently did a little reading about that setup because of a post on the Metalcloak Owners Club Facebook! Were you the one who mentioned it? I haven’t done a ton of research into the brakes yet but I will be once it gets closer. I also looked into the Dynatrac setup very briefly.

Your input is greatly appreciated, do you have the master cylinder and break booster on your rig? What’s your setup?

Jeep Lover

I picked up an ORO Liteplate to use with the Teraflex HD Tire Carrier that I will be installing soon. I drilled two holes into the Liteplate and bolted it to the supplied bracket for the factory 3rd brake light in the Teraflex Kit.

I opted for the Liteplate with the quick release plug which will make removing the setup very easy when I remove the spare.

Moderator

When you get to doing the Big Brake Kit front and rear, if you are changing the front calipers to a dual piston highly recommend the J8 Master Cylinder and Brake booster. Improves the pedal feel and flow to the brakes immensely. https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...50-mopar-j8-master-cylinder-and-brake-booster It's a little bigger so if you plan on on board are you will have to put it somewhere else than above the master cylinder.

Jeep Lover

Armor is all painted!
I was going to do the tubes in a satin clear but I'm really digging this full color match right now. What do you think?

My thoughts are I can always do the tubes satin later when they are on the vehicle if I change my mind.
Yes, they are going to get scratched.

Here is a quick picture I took of the Milestar Patagonia 315/70/17 next to the Goodyear Duratrac 265/70/17 on the Jeep.

Going to start on this thing the first weekend in April!
Our plan is to install the armor, tires, and trim the rock rails on the first Saturday. Then the following weekend install the lift and steering.